Hemings, Sally

A slave who was owned by Thomas Jefferson. Based on recent evidence from DNA and from the timing of Jefferson's visits to Monticello, most scholars now think it probable that Jefferson, a widower, was the father of one and possibly more of her four surviving children.

Note

The allegation that Jefferson had a slave mistress circulated among his political opponents during his life and has long been voiced by many African-Americans. Until recently, most historians dismissed it because there was no corroborating evidence.